Best Online Accounting Certificate Programs of 2025

Why We Chose This School

CLC offers a two-semester accountant diploma that covers the essentials of today's accounting industry. That means you'll take classes on payroll accounting, get hands-on with computerized accounting software, and learn the basic principles needed to succeed in the field.

You'll also build skills in communications, various computer applications, and workplace professionalism. CLC is highly affordable, and charges both in-state and out-of-state students $211 per credit hour for online courses. 

Highlights

• $211 per credit hour 
• 32 credits total required
• Features classes in accounting and general business topics

Know Before You Apply

• Can be completed in two semesters (if you're a full-time student)
• Courses may count toward a future bachelor’s degree
• Some courses may require you to meet College Place Levels in reading, writing, or math

 Why We Chose This School

Craven Community College offers an accounting and finance certificate with a focus on payroll. It combines coursework in taxation and payroll accounting to build practical knowledge for managing payroll processes.

The six-course program covers topics like federal and business income taxes, accounting software, and financial accounting. The program is accredited by the ACBSP and costs only $76 per credit hour if you live in North Carolina. If you're an out-of-state student, however, you'll have to pay $268 per credit hour.

Highlights

• ACBSP accredited
• $268 per credit for out-of-state students
• 16 credits total

Know Before You Apply

• Coursework focused on taxation and payroll accounting
• Short-term certificate
• Includes software and computer instruction for accounting applications

 Why We Chose This School

The certificate in accounting from Eastern Kentucky University offers a deep dive into accounting and its many specializations. 

The 39-credit program includes courses on tax, cost accounting, financial and managerial accounting, auditing, and information security. It also offers classes in business law and ethics and problem solving using Excel. 

The program costs $443 per credit hour for online students. Also, note that it's only available to undergraduate students and students with a prior bachelor’s degree.

Highlights

• AACSB accredited
• Coursework covers accounting specializations
• Can prepare you for the CPA exam (when combined with an undergraduate degree)

Know Before You Apply

• Mathematics course required
• $443 per credit for online students
• 39 credits total required

 Why We Chose This School

The three-semester accounting certificate from Kakaskasia College includes courses in both key human skills and fundamental areas of accounting.

The program starts with an introduction to business, English composition, and an overview of accounting principles. As you progress, you'll tackle more advanced topics like financial and managerial accounting. 

The program requires 13 credit hours and is quite affordable, costing $6,030, including fees for books and services. 

Highlights

• Instruction in both human skills and accounting
• Focus on managerial and financial accounting, as well as taxation
• Includes courses on business technology applications

Know Before You Apply

• 13 credits total required
• Designed to be completed in three semesters 
• $6,030 total program cost

Why We Chose This School

The Accounting Certificate from the Minnesota West Community and Technical College offers a fast-tracked introduction to the industry. 

The 16-credit certificate requires just three core courses — two in principles of accounting and one in spreadsheet concepts. You'll also choose elective courses, with options between two business and counting classes.

Highlights

• Includes just three core courses
• Guidance on working with spreadsheets

Know Before You Apply

• $207 per credit for online students
• 16 credits total

Why We Chose This School

The accounting certificate from North Iowa Area Community College is a short-term accounting program with a focus on tech. 

One of the five required core courses is computer accounting, which discusses software like QuickBooks Online, a well-known industry tool. The certificate also offers a specialized course on payroll accounting.

The program is 15 credit hours and can be completed in one semester.

Highlights

• Instruction in popular industry software
• Payroll accounting course
• Fast-tracked program (can be complete in one semester)

Know Before You Apply

• $290 per credit
• 15 credits total

Why We Chose This School

The managerial accounting certificate from Northcentral Technical College is designed to give you a solid introduction to internal accounting. 

This online program includes courses in Excel, managerial accounting, and fundamental math skills to prepare you for an accounting career. 

Once you complete the program, the 16 credits you earn can be applied toward an associate degree in accounting at Northcentral, covering about 26% of the total degree requirements.

The total cost of the program is roughly $2,769, including $2,651 in tuition and $118 in books for supplies. 

Highlights

• Focused on managerial and internal accounting
• Includes classes in Excel 

Know Before You Apply

• $2,769 total program cost
• 16 credits total
• Can count toward an associate degree at the same school

Why We Chose This School

The accounting certificate program at Sauk Valley Community College focuses on bookkeeping, including topics around internal accounting and data entry. 

This program has a heavy focus on accounting software, with three of its five courses diving into computer accounting, working with computers, and understanding spreadsheet software. It also covers financial and managerial accounting, giving you a well-rounded view of both internal operations and external reporting.

The program totals 16 credit hours and costs around $6,432, including tuition and fees.

Highlights

• Focus on data and working with tech
• Courses on working with spreadsheets
• Instruction in managerial and financial accounting 

Know Before You Apply

• 16 credits total required
• $194 per credit for online students

Why We Chose This School

SCC's accounting certificate combines financial principles with tech instruction to prepare students for accounting careers.

Courses cover topics like payroll accounting, computers, marketing, and other core accounting and business topics. The program also features job-shadowing opportunities in business, finance, marketing, and management — giving you hands-on insight into the day-to-day work of accounting professionals. 

The program requires between 16 and 17 credit hours, depending on the courses you choose.

Highlights

• Job-shadowing opportunities included as part of the program
• Covers various accounting topics, including payroll
• Includes instruction in fundamental business areas like marketing 

Know Before You Apply

• 16-17 total credits required
• $212 tuition per credit for non-Iowa residents
• Math course required

 Why We Chose This School

Southwestern Community College offers two accounting certificates in specialized areas of the field.

Its payroll accounting certificate is a 15-credit program focused on payroll, taxation, and financial and managerial accounting. 

The tax accounting certificate requires 16 credits and takes a deeper dive into business income taxes while still covering financial and managerial accounting.

Each certificate can be completed in about two semesters. Southwestern charges $278 per credit for out-of-state students, including tuition and fees.

Highlights

• Specialized certificates in tax and payroll accounting
• Both include instruction in financial and managerial accounting
• Designed to be completed in two semesters

Know Before You Apply

• 15-16 total credits, depending on your specialization
• $278 per credit for out-of-state students